Press Releases
Africa’s first Cruise Forum underway in Durban
Cruise lines show commitment to developing Africa into a world-class cruise destination
Increased Africa deployment is changing the region’s cruise map
12 MAY 2011
Africa’s first Cruise Forum underway in Durban
The first ever Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum opened its doors yesterday to over 180 delegates, gathering from 15 countries for in-depth conference discussion on the region’s cruise market development, and workshops between regional destinations and cruise line decision makers.
Setting the scene, Seatrade’s Chairman, Chris Hayman said, ‘The Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum in Durban is the first event of its kind to spotlight Africa’s current role and great future potential in cruise tourism. As the globalisation of cruise ship deployment continues, Africa represents the next frontier in the expanding geography of the cruise industry.’
Key cruise line decision-makers from a cross section of the major brands, including Silversea, Azamara, Seabourn, The World, Princess, MSC Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity gathered in Durban on Monday evening for a dinner hosted by the Cruise Indian Ocean Association and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Seatrade’s organising partners for this groundbreaking event.
Commitment to work together and develop potential
During Wednesday’s robust conference sessions, cruise line speakers demonstrated a strong commitment to the region as well as a willingness to work together to resolve issues affecting development, namely the ongoing threat posed by piracy off the north eastern and central African coast and the changing geopolitical landscape in the north of the continent.
Neil Palomba, Corporate Operating Officer for MSC Cruises, which has seasonally deployed ships in South Africa for more than a decade, has seen local passenger traffic grow to over 120,000 this past season and a gradual extension of South African itineraries to include Mozambique, Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius and Namibia. 'However, we need more and better port facilities and a greater range of shore excursions,' he said, to grow the market further. Palomba urged stakeholders to work together to address this expansion.
Silversea has been visiting the region on world cruise programs for over a decade, normally staying for eight to ten weeks annually from January to March. ‘Africa is one of the most highly rated of those destinations we visit,’ noted Mary Shaw-Delaney, Director Shoreside Programs, ‘and guests are clamouring for more.’
Claudius Docekal, Manager of Deployment & Destinations for Azamara Club Cruises, said, 'Africa holds great potential particularly when cruise lines are looking at new winter destinations.'
The World is visiting Southern Africa for three months (November 2011 to February 2012) so our guests are not in a hurry when taking land experiences, remarked David Vass, Director Destination and Enrichment Services of The World. ‘Our residents love South Africa and the Seychelles and we have been here three times in nine years,’ he said.
Crystal, Silversea, Spirit of Adventure and Fred. Olsen are amongst a growing list of lines operating itineraries originating in South African ports and sailing up the west and east coasts. 'As a destination and as a source market Southern Africa has great potential and this is why we have supported this historic event to see how we can move it forward,' said James Seymour, KwaZulu-Natal General Manager Tourism Information.
Last night delegates were treated to a nautically themed gala dinner, sponsored by Transnet.
This afternoon a programme of workshops will foster and develop relations between regional destinations and the numerous cruise lines in attendance. Pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings will give participants a unique chance to present their products and services to the people making decisions on ship deployment in the region.
The Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum is organised by Seatrade under the auspices of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association and the Province of KwaZulu Natal. The event is sponsored by The Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies, Durban Invest, Express Shipchandlers, Intercruises, Springbok Atlas and Transnet, with South African Airways as official carrier.
**END**
MARCH 2011
Cruise lines show commitment to developing Africa into a world-class cruise destination
Top decision makers from the world’s cruise lines plan to be in Durban this May to discuss the way forward for Africa’s developing cruise market.
Claudius Docekal, Deployment & Destinations, Azamara Club Cruises; Simon Douwes, Director, Deployment & Itinerary Planning, Holland America Line; Allan Foggitt, Marketing Director, Starlight Cruises; Matthew Grimes, Planning, Ports & Logistics Director, Fred. Olsen; Bruce Krumrine, VP, Shore Operations Europe & Exotics, Princess Cruises; Darius Mehta, VP, Air & Land Programs, Silversea; Craig Milan, SVP, Land Operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. & President, Royal Celebrity Tours, Inc; David Vass, Director, Destination & Enrichment Programs, The World; Stefano G.V. Vigoriti, Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa - these cruise line decision makers and more like them will meet at the Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum for tailored conference and workshops, during which regional destinations will have a rare opportunity to talk one-to-one with these industry key players to promote their product.
Africa’s cruise map is changing as more cruise lines tap into the massive potential around the continent for new guest experiences. This in turn is resulting in many opportunities for destinations and suppliers to benefit from the considerable economic impact of increased cruise calls. Collaboratively, there is also great scope for cruise lines and regional stakeholders to work together to ensure that all cruise calls to the region are a first-class experience.
The Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum will take place from 10-12 May 2011 at the elegant Fairmont Zimbali Lodge & Resort, just north of Durban. Organised by Seatrade and held under the auspices of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association (CIOA) and the Province of KwaZulu Natal, the forum will provide participants with invaluable insight into the issues facing the region in terms of port operations, infrastructure, hospitality, shore excursions and regulatory environment as well as examine the region’s own potential as a source market for cruise passengers.
Following the conference, regional destinations will have a chance to meet one-to-one with the cruise lines at pre-scheduled workshop sessions to promote their services.
The cruise forum has been carefully planned to take place straight after INDABA, Africa’s top travel show, enabling delegates to attend both events with one trip. More information on how to participate can be found at www.africacruiseforum.com
**END**
FEBRUARY 2011
Increased Africa deployment is changing the region’s cruise map
The potential that exists around the African continent for cruise lines seeking virgin territories and new experiences for their guests is vast and as yet largely untapped. A large part of this potential lies on the Indian Ocean coasts, where the majority of ports are in close proximity to game reserves boasting an abundance of the “big five” of the animal world, a sure-fire shorex winner for cruise passengers.
MSC has increased its seasonal presence to two vessels and has invested in improved embarkation facilities at the Port of Durban as well as developing areas of Portuguese Island in Mozambique. The 1,544 passenger MSC Sinfonia will finish her second extended season in the region this May and 1,064 passenger MSC Melody has now joined her, increasing MSC’s regional capacity to more than 100,000 passengers. By the end of this cruising season Durban will have welcomed in excess of 60 cruise calls.
Costa, Princess Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea, Travel Dynamics, Oceania and Fred. Olsen are all active on the African continent, whether it be with cruises visiting the east and west coasts, the Cape Verde Islands and St. Helena, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia in the north or calling at the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. It is expected that more lines will be attracted to the collaborative opportunities this part of the world has to offer in the near future.
The cruise potential of Africa will be the focus of attention at the Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum, taking place in Durban from 10-12 May this year. The event, in conjunction with the Cruise Indian Ocean Association (CIOA) and the Province of KwaZulu Natal, will be held at the elegant Fairmont Zimbali Resort, just north of the city.
Participants will hear from cruise line experts on what they need to see from Africa in terms of port operations, infrastructure, hospitality, shore excursions and regulatory environment as well as the region’s own potential as a source market for cruise passengers.
The cruise forum has been carefully planned to take place straight after INDABA, Africa’s top travel show, enabling delegates to combine their attendance.
More information on the event and how to participate can be found at www.africacruiseforum.com
**END**
Editors notes:
Amanda Çetin at Seatrade on +44 1206 545121 or acetin@seatrade-global.com
Seatrade
Connecting the global cruise community – www.seatrade-global.com
Established 40 years ago, Seatrade is a leader in cruise and maritime publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects. Regular events include international trade exhibitions and conferences across all maritime sectors, management training courses for shipping professionals, training seminars for travel agents and award schemes, including the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards. Seatrade publications include magazines, supplements and yearbooks, whilst Seatrade Insider provides daily cruise news online at www.seatrade-insider.com